Agenda and minutes

To confirm as a true record the Minutes of the meeting held on 16 September 2020.

RESOLVED:

THAT the minutes of the meeting held on 16 September 2020 be approved.

To invite Members to declare any interest they might have in the matters on the agenda.

Councillor Julie Jones-Evans declared a non pecuniary interest in Minute 30 (e) as she had a business in a Street named in the motion, she was also a member of Newport Business Association.

Questions must be delivered in writing or by electronic mail to Democratic Services at democratic.services@iow.gov.uk  no later than 5pm on 16 November 2020.

To receive the Chairman’s official announcements.

A written report had been circulated for information.

RESOLVED:

THAT the Chairman’s official announcements be noted.

a)              To receive the Leader’s update report (5 minutes maximum).

b)              Members questions on the Leader’s update report (15 minutes maximum).

The Leader advised that £21 million from government had been invested in Island schools including West Wight and no child will go hungry this Christmas. Over £38 million had been agreed for investment in the Ryde Interchange and the Island Line Improvement Plan, a further £8 million for St Marys and other road improvements in Newport. The Local Outbreak Engagement Board were doing all they could to ensure Island residents were kept safe.

He raised concern regarding the threat of drug abuse and other drug related crime on the Island which were leading to issues relating to safeguarding children. He had spoken with Hampshire police and an all member briefing would be arranged.

Government funding announcements were expected for the forthcoming year, the options to deliver savings were being investigated, this was proving challenging and a letter had been sent to Government regarding the Island deal.

Questions were raised regarding how residents were being kept safe and how the council was protecting and creating jobs. Members were advised that through the Local Outbreak Engagement Board, residents were being provided with as much information as possible. With the purchase of Venture Quays jobs had been created on the site for young people on the Island.

The Leader expressed his disappointment at the decision by Wightlink to remove the fast-cat service from Ryde Pier head, discussions were ongoing with the company and the Department for Transport as it was an important service for Island residents.

Questions were raised regarding the tier (Covid-19 alert level) the Island would be in when the national lockdown ends at the beginning of December. Members were advised that a number of issues would be taken into consideration including number of cases on the Island, and the status of the health system on the Island.

It was advised that additional funding had been received from government during the pandemic, some of which was to be distributed to Island businesses, the Leader advised that he would supply a more detailed written response regarding funding and homelessness on the Island.

RESOLVED:

THAT the Leaders update be noted.

The Cabinet Member for Corporate Resources advised that a review of the number of polling districts had been undertaken due to the introduction of  revised electoral division on the Island.

It was noted there was an error in the consultation response appendix in so far that Whitwell should not been included in the electoral division title.

RESOLVED:

THAT the Isle of Wight Council adopts the scheme of polling districts and polling places as set out in Appendix 2. This resolution is to be effective for the purposes of proceedings preliminary or relating to any election to be held on or after 6 May 2021. This scheme includes the separation of the Nettlestone and Seaview area into two polling districts, each served by its own polling station.

THAT the electoral division named in Appendix 1 paragraph 4.1 should be Chale, Niton and Shorwell.

To consider the proposed revisions to the Council’s Constitution.

Members were advised that the revision of the Constitution had been undertaken in consultation with members over a number of months, and a review of the Constitution was long overdue. It was noted that some of the comments raised at the informal Corporate Scrutiny Committee had been incorporated into the document.

A proposed amendment to Part Three, Section Six (page 27) to remove the ability for Council to remove membership from a Committee which was duly seconded. However the Monitoring Officer, advised that the amendment was not valid as it did not comply with the Local Government Housing Act 1989 which advised how membership to committees was allocated and removed, to recognise the members who were not part of a political group.

A proposed amendment to Part Three, Section Six (Page 27) to remove the word relevant from the last sentence in the Appointments Sub-Committee section was advanced and duly seconded.

The amendment was accepted.

Concern was raised at the size of the document and the limited amount of time given to read and digest the contents, it was also noted that some members believed they had not been consulted on the revised version. Confirmation was provided that the Audit Committee had seven members and not six.

A proposal for deferral was made and duly seconded, a vote was taken and the result was as follows:

The proposal fell.

A vote on the Constitution was taken and result was as follows:

RESOLVED:

THAT the works that has been carried out to review and revise the Constitution be Approved.

THAT the outcome of the member consultation process, including the comments made by Corporate Scrutiny Committee at its informal meeting on 13 October 2020 be considered.

THAT the formal adoption of the revised Constitution by Full Council be agreed.

THAT the word relevant be removed from the last line in the paragraph titled Appointments Sub-Committee.

THAT the Audit Committee number be confirmed as seven

This Council will put the wellbeing of residents at the heart of placemaking in our towns and villages.

The Chairman confirmed that as there had been insufficient time to debate this motion, any amendments and the subsequent vote at the last meeting, he had agreed for the motion to be carried over as submitted to this meeting.

Councillor Julie Jones-Evans moved the motion which was duly seconded.

THAT this council will put the wellbeing of residents at the heart of placemaking in our towns and villages.

Councillor Dave Stewart proposed the motion be amended as follows:

That this council will continue to put the wellbeing of residents at the heart of placemaking in our towns and villages.

Cllr Jones-Evans did not accept the amendment, a vote was taken on the amendment, the results were as follows:

That the amendment was carried. A vote was then taken on the substantive motion the results were as follows:

RESOLVED:

THAT this council will continue to put the wellbeing of residents at the heart of placemaking in our towns and villages.

This Council notes the blatant disregard that a number of motorists have for the speed, weight and width restrictions on the Island roads which continues to endanger the lives of our residents on a daily basis. It also notes that whilst it has the power to introduce these restrictions it does not have the necessary powers to enforce them and that this is source of continual frustration to councillors and members of the public alike.

Whilst the Council can, for example, install speed cameras, their management is a matter for the police and all revenues from fines are returned to the government, which makes funding the provision and operation of the cameras an additional cost to the local council tax payer and not a charge on those breaking the law.

Therefore Council resolves to approach the Island’s MP and the Local Government Association to seek their support in securing the necessary powers from government for the enforcement of  speed, weight and width restrictions on the Island’s roads so helping to keep our community safer. Council also asks cabinet to explore the cost and feasibility of acquiring mobile average speed cameras for future use on the Island

Councillor Mosdell moved the following motion which was duly seconded.

This Council notes the blatant disregard that a number of motorists have for the speed, weight and width restrictions on the Island roads which continues to endanger the lives of our residents on a daily basis. It also notes that whilst it has the power to introduce these restrictions it does not have the necessary powers to enforce them and that this is source of continual frustration to councillors and members of the public alike.

Whilst the Council can, for example, install speed cameras, their management is a matter for the police and all revenues from fines are returned to the government, which makes funding the provision and operation of the cameras an additional cost to the local council tax payer and not a charge on those breaking the law.

Therefore Council resolves to approach the Island’s MP and the Local Government Association to seek their support in securing the necessary powers from government for the enforcement of speed, weight and width restrictions on the Island’s roads so helping to keep our community safer. Council also asks cabinet to explore the cost and feasibility of acquiring mobile average speed cameras for future use on the Island.

A vote was taken and the results were as follows:

RESOLVED:

      I.         THAT This Council notes the blatant disregard that a number of motorists have for the speed, weight and width restrictions on the Island roads which continues to endanger the lives of our residents on a daily basis. It also notes that whilst it has the power to introduce these restrictions it does not have the necessary powers to enforce them and that this is source of continual frustration to councillors and members of the public alike.

    II.         THAT This Council resolved to approach the Island’s MP and the Local Government Association to seek their support in securing the necessary powers from government for the enforcement of speed, weight and width restrictions on the Island’s roads so helping to keep our community safer. Council also asks cabinet to explore the cost and feasibility of acquiring mobile average speed cameras for future use on the Island.

This council is concerned about the dangers of pavement parking causing problems for sight-impaired residents, disabled residents, pram and pushchair users and mobility scooter users as well as the general public and wants to address the situation on the Island.

Therefore, this council asks that the leader write to the appropriate Minister in Government to request obstruction enforcement powers for our Parking Enforcement Team to be able to deal with the situation locally without having to rely just on the police who have enough to do already.

Councillor Ward moved the following motion which was duly seconded.

This Council is concerned about the dangers of pavement parking causing problems for sight-impaired residents, disabled residents, pram and pushchair users and mobility scooter users as well as the general public and wants to address the situation on this Island.

Therefore, this council asks that the leader write to the appropriate Minister in Government to request obstruction enforcement powers for our Parking Enforcement Team to be able to deal with the situation locally without having to rely just on the Police who have enough to do already.

A vote was taken and the results were as follows:

RESOLVED:

THAT This council asks that the leader write to the appropriate Minister in Government to request obstruction enforcement powers for our Parking Enforcement Team to be able to deal with the situation locally without having to rely just on the Police who have enough to do already.

This council wishes to recognise the importance of farming including tenant farmers on the Isle of Wight in achieving its climate emergency strategy, preserving and developing the IW UNESCO biosphere principles and status, the importance of local food production, managing environmentally the majority of Island greenfield land, and being a key attraction for tourism on the Isle of Wight.

This council confirms and reaffirms its commitment to support farmers in sustainable farming on the Island and finding ways of protecting working farms and their Greenfields from being lost to housing development.

Councillor Lilley moved the following motion which was duly seconded:

This Council wishes to recognise the importance of farming Including tenant farmers on the Isle of Wight in achieving its climate emergency strategy, preserving and developing the IW UNESCO biosphere principles and status, the importance of local food production, managing environmentally the majority of Island greenfield land, and being a key attraction for tourism on the Isle of Wight.

This Council confirms and reaffirms its commitment to support farmers in sustainable farming on the Island and finding ways of protecting working farms and their Greenfields from being lost to housing development

The Chairman advised the under Part 4A Procedure Rule 9 of the Council’s Constitution, he had determined that as the subject matter of the motion came within the province of the Cabinet and it be referred without discussion to the Cabinet.

RESOLVED:

THAT the motion be referred to Cabinet for discussion.

Council are increasingly concerned at the continuing demise of the retail offer of our County town’s centre, particularly resulting from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic over the last eight months. 40 plus empty shops were recently identified by a former independent shop owner.

Council notes that Newport is the only town centre on the Island that has no offer of a least 30 minutes free car parking in its main streets, apart from the popular Upper St James St (Node Hill). This is reflected for example in the relative, retail vibrancy of Union Street Ryde, within its closest comparator town, which has one hour’s free parking.

Council, therefore, call on the Isle of Wight Council cabinet to introduce at least 30 minutes free parking in all Newport town centre streets currently charged for – High St, Holyrood St, Lugley St, New St, Pyle St, Orchard St and Quay St – and Newport’s short term car parks as part of its 2021/22 budget.

Councillor Brodie advised that he had received and accepted an amendment to the original motion prior to the start of the meeting and moved the following which was duly seconded:

Council are increasingly concerned at the continuing demise of the retail offer of our County town's centre, particularly resulting from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic over the last 8 months. 40 plus empty shops were recently identified by a former independent shop owner.

Council notes that Newport is the only town centre in the Island that has no offer of at least 30 minutes free car parking in its main streets, apart from the popular Upper St James St (Node Hill). This is reflected for example in the relative, retail vibrancy of Union Street, Ryde, within its closest comparator town, which has one hour's free parking.

Council, therefore, calls on the Isle of Wight Council Cabinet to consider introducing at least 30 minutes free parking in all the Newport town centre streets currently charged for - High St, Holyrood St, Lugley St, New St, Pyle St, Orchard St and Quay St - and Newport's short term car parks as part of its 2021/22 Budget.

A vote was taken and the results were as follows:

RESOLVED:

THAT Council, therefore, call on the Isle of Wight Council Cabinet to consider introducing at least 30 minutes free parking in all the Newport town centre streets currently charged for - High St, Holyrood St, Lugley St, New St, Pyle St, Orchard St and Quay St - and Newport's short term car parks as part of its 2021/22 Budget.

A question must be submitted in writing or by electronic mail to Democratic Services no later than 5pm on 17 November 2020.